Tag Archive for: Real Estate

8 August Home Care Tips in Greater Athens GA

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August Home Care Tips in Greater Athens

Keep your home in top shape with these 8 August tasks

Can you believe it’s already August?! Back to school is coming up, and Fall weather is right around the corner. With the start of a new month, it’s a good time to review this checklist of 8 August tasks to keep your home in top shape. Info via Keller Williams!

  1. Test smoke detectors
  2. Drain approximately 2 gallons from water heaters to eliminate sediment.
  3. Clean dryer vent duct.
  4. Vacuum bathroom vent covers.
  5. Replace or clean furnace filter.
  6. Clean out basement window wells.
  7. Clean coils in rear of refrigerator unit.
  8. Clean around air conditioning compressor.

Have you taken care of your home over the years and are now thinking about moving, or know someone that is? We’d love to help you with the process! Submit a request for contact, or give us a call today.

Copyright 2017 Keller Williams® Realty, Inc. If you have a brokerage relationship with another agency, this is not intended as a solicitation. All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Equal Opportunity Housing Provider. Each office is independently owned and operated. 

2017 Oconee School Supply Drive a Success

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2017 Oconee School Supply Drive a Success!

A record amount of school supply donations were presented to area schools

Oconee schools were presented with your school supply donations today at the Oconee County Chamber of Commerce. Thanks to your support and our community partners, we were able to help provide a record number of school supplies for the 2017-18 school year. Special thanks to our community partners, including Athens First Bank and Trust, Banksouth, Fox’s Pizza Den of Oconee, Matt Dixon/Briscoe Family Foundation, the Oconee County Chamber of Commerce and Target of Athens. We’re happy to support education in our community, and look forward to the success of the new school year.

Mallard Cir

Homes Just Reduced in the Greater Athens Area

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Homes Just Reduced in the Greater Athens Area

Your dream home may only be a few clicks away!

Are you searching for homes in the greater Athens area? The Jennifer Westmoreland and Associates team has lots of listings that may be just what you’re looking for today! We have some listings that have recently been reduced, and probably won’t last long. Click the pictures for more information on each home listing, and submit a request for contact or give us a call to learn more about these fantastic opportunities.

Whitlow Creek Drive

Whitlow Creek Drive

Academy Woods Drive

Academy Woods Drive

Hearthstone Way

Hearthstone Way

Stevens Grove Church Rd

Stevens Grove Church Rd

Mallard Cir

Mallard Cir

River Shoals Dr

River Shoals Dr

 

Milledge Ave

Milledge Ave

675 Riverhill Drive

Riverhill Drive

Whitrlow Creek

Whitlow Creek

Long Creek Drive

Long Creek Drive

 

What Not To Do Before Buying A House

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What Not To Do Before Buying A House

7 things you may want to try and avoid during the home buying process

The home buying process can be an overwhelming time. Often, things you think may not be important during that process could actually effect you along the way. Here are 7 things to try and avoid along your home purchase journey, via KW!

  1. Don’t make a major purchase. This will change your credit score and possibly disqualify you from a mortgage.
  2. Don’t change jobs unless it’s absolutely necessary. A consistent work history is crucial to lenders.
  3. Don’t give earnest money directly to a For Sale By Owner seller.
  4. Don’t forget to switch utilities. Call the utility companies as soon as you have a contract.
  5. Don’t forget to get hazard insurance as long before closing as possible.
  6. Don’t ignore lender requirement. Be absolutely clear on what the lender requires and take care of it.
  7. Do go it alone. A reliable real estate professional will help you with all the details, including ones you didn’t think of.

Have additional questions or ready to begin the home purchase process? Request a contact from Team JWA, or give us a call today!

 

Summer Lawn Care in the Greater Athens Area

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Summer Lawn Care in the Greater Athens Area

Smart lawn management can keep things nice and healthy

Summer heat here in the greater Athens area can wreak havoc on your lawn. But don’t despair, smart lawn management can help you keep things nice and healthy this year.  Neat and clean landscaping can often complement the look and feel of your home too! (info and photo via KW)

 

 

Here are a few tips:

  • How can you tell if your lawn needs water? Walk across the lawn in the early morning or evening hours. If footprint remain, water is needed.
  • Be sure to water after sunset or before sunrise. Avoid watering when it’s windy or hot outside.
  • Set your mower blade higher – a height of 2 1/2″ to 3″ is ideal. Tall grass encourages deeper root growth and better drought tolerance. And make sure that the blade is sharp. Dull blades thrash the grass, they don’t cut it.
  • Consider mulching your grass. This will return needed nutrients to your yard.

Stay cool out there! For more information on local resources, you can always visit our JWA resource page! And if you or anyone you know need professional real estate advice, please don’t hesitate to contact me. You can give us a call, or take a minute to submit a request to contact!

Jennifer Westmoreland and Associates 2017 Oconee School Supply Drive

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Team JWA 2017 Oconee School Supply Drive

Donate supplies in support of our community through July 27th

 

 Jennifer Westmoreland and Associates is happy to help organize the 2017 Oconee school supply drive, to benefit students in need at area schools! We need your help.  Between now and July 27th, simply purchase new school supplies and drop them off at our offices in the school supply donation bin.  We are located at:

1361 Jennings Mill Road, Suite B-100, Watkinsville GA

We will gather all donations and present them to Oconee schools just before school starts.  See the links below for a list of most needed items by school! Interested in volunteering to be a liaison to a school? We’d love your help! Call 706-389-9953.

Looking for additional donation drop off locations? You can now drop off donations at Athens First Bank at Butlers Crossing, Banksouth in Athens on Milledge Ave or in Watkinsville on Hwy 441, Fox’s Pizza Den of Oconee on Hwy 78 and the Oconee County Chamber of Commerce. Thanks to these wonderful community partners!

High Shoals Elementary School

Oconee Elementary School

Rocky Branch Elementary School

Malcom Bridge Elementary School

Colham Ferry Elementary School

Oconee Primary School

This Month in Real Estate June 2017

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This Month in Real Estate – June 2017

Monthly Real Estate Trends – Ask About the Athens Area!

Here are some national trends in real estate for the month of June. Interested in what the current market in your neighborhood is like? We’d be happy to sit down with you and review a customized plan based upon your individual market conditions! At Jennifer Westmoreland and Associates, we are a part of the community and make our focus to be the local experts in what’s happening here in the greater Athens area. Submit a request for contact, or give us a call. We look forward to working with you.

Luxury Homes Available in Greater Athens GA

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Luxury Homes Available in Greater Athens GA

In the market for a custom home? Be looking for this luxury home insert!

Are you in the market for your next dream home in the greater Athens area? This monthly luxury home flyer may have just the information you’re looking for to simplify your process! Did you know that Jennifer is the #1 Keller Williams Athens Luxury Home Specialist? The insert can be found in the Real Estate Book of Athens, and we will also share information on these beautiful homes. On one side you’ll find featured homes in the Athens area, and on the other side are featured homes in Oconee area. See a home you like or have additional questions? Please give us a call today, or submit a request for contact! For our sellers, this is also an additional benefit that we offer at Team Jennifer Westmoreland & Associates to find potential buyers for your current home. We look forward to speaking with you soon, with a focus on finding a home that is just right for you.

8 Ways to Get Your Home in Shape for Showing

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8 Ways to Get Your Home in Shape for Showing

8 simple steps you can take to ensure your home is in “show shape”

Information via KW

Homes that have been well-maintained and convey pride of ownership appeal to perceptive, motivated buyers. Below are some simple steps you can take for your home in the greater Athens area to ensure your home is in “show shape” when you are ready to sell.

 

 

  1. Clean or replace carpets and/or other flooring, such as vinyl or hardwoods.
  2. Wash the windows and window coverings.
  3. Clean the kitchen and baths until they sparkle.
  4. Clear and pack away clutter and sell or store excess furniture.
  5. Clean your closets–extra storage space helps sell homes.
  6. Paint or touch up any rooms that need it. Use neutral colors, which have more universal appeal.
  7. Take down family pictures and other personal decorations. The more your house looks like your home, the harder it is for buyers to imagine themselves living there.
  8. Clean the basement and garage. Neatly stack and store boxes.

Your home’s cleanliness and appeal create an unconscious impression. That impression can determine the likelihood of an offer.  I’d be happy to stop by and offer you specific suggestions to help you stage your home for sale. This is the time for minor adjustments, not a major remodel. Please give me a call or submit a request for contact with any questions. Perhaps I can save you some time and/or money.

Greater Athens Area Best Home Improvement

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Greater Athens Area Best Home Improvements

Potential Remodel Options for Future Resale (data via KW)

Sure, you can spend a lot on something purely for the personal pleasure of having it—like that outdoor Jacuzzi under the attached gazebo—or you can go the practical route and make an improvement that will increase your home’s market value. If you’re looking to improve the appearance of your home for resale, or you just want an updated look for your own enjoyment, consider a few things before beginning any costly project.

It may not sound very exciting, but it’s the basic improvements you make to your home that may have the greatest return on its value: a beautiful new bathroom won’t make up for a leaky roof.

Below are some examples of a few improvements that usually pay off—and some that rarely make a difference (no matter how much you paid for them) when it comes time to sell your home.

“…it’s the basic improvements you make to your home that may have the greatest return…”
Best Potential for Resale:
Painting
If you’re planning to sell your home in a year or two, a fresh coat of a neutral-toned paint could make the sale easier. A professional exterior paint job may also recoup close to 75% of its cost. Let’s face it— we all like things fresh-looking.
Kitchen
With just a few basic improvements, your kitchen can practically pay you back with interest! New paint, wallpaper and flooring are always appreciated. Replacing old cabinet hardware is a low-cost improvement that makes a big difference in appearance, according to the Remodeling magazine.
Don’t expect your money back:
Swimming Pool
In a word-don’t! Unless you’re putting it in for you and your family to enjoy, it’s commonly agreed that a swimming pool has no resale value at all.
Picture-Prefect Gardens
If the potential buyer is not horticulturally inclined, chances are your floral handiwork won’t add to the offering price. The same can be said for expensive fences and stone walls-they look nice, but buyers don’t pay up for them.

 

Call me today or submit a request for contact if you’re thinking of remodeling your home. I have an extensive network of experienced professionals that I would love to put you in touch with if you’d like. I will also show you how much your home is worth in today’s market, before and after the renovations.

If anyone you know requires real estate advice, please share my contact information with them.